Sex abuse claim councillor declares his innocence

Former Shropshire Lib Dem election candidate David Murray, who is facing a complaint of sexual abuse, today claimed he was innocent.

Councillor Murray withdrew his candidacy for The Wrekin seat at the General Election this week after police were called in to investigate.

He said today: "Obviously, I strenuously deny the allegation made."

Councillor Murray said the allegation was "obviously serious" and so for the benefit of the Lib Dem party he had agreed to stand down.

He said: "I explained the background to the region, but because I didn't stand down, a telephone call was made to the national party and they then contacted me and asked if I would like to think about it.

"I discussed it with them and, on their advice, I didn't want to cause any problems and so I decided to stand down."

He added: "I am mostly disappointed I have had to stand down as I was looking to fighting a hard campaign and had already started."

Councillor Murray said the latest controversy had put him under a lot of pressure.

Police previously said they were called in to investigate a complaint of sexual abuse but the inquiry was in its early stages.